KANNUR: UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath invoked the idea of a “Sanatan Hindu Rashtra” recalling Adi Shankaracharya’s movement to revive Hinduism and described communism as a “foreign ideology” implanted in Kerala. “When the country’s religion and culture was threatened by foreign invaders, Shankaracharya launched the movement for the protection of the Hindu religion. Today, time has come to replicate the Shankaracharya movement and Hindu culture must be protected and preserved in Kerala,” Yogi told participants in BJP’s Jan Raksha Yatra. “The huge turnout in two days has proved that days of jihadi terrorism and lal salam (Red salute) are over in Kerala and the bloodbath (of CPM’s political rivals) will soon be over with formation of a nationalist government in the state,” he said. Adityanath exhorted people to ponder how a “foreign ideology” gained ground in Kerala and Hindu traditions were in danger. “Hindu religion has strong roots in Kerala and history speaks about it,” said the UP chief minister. Known for his unabashed espousal of Hindutva, Adityanath alleged that the Left has turned the state into a hub of “jihadi terrorism”, a concern for the entire nation. “In the guise of secularism, CPM has turned Kerala into hub of jihadi terror. It must be rejected for which we have come here to create public consciousness,” Adityanath said. He assured the party cadres of Kerala not to be intimidated by “red terror” as entire Uttar Pradesh and the country at large will fight for their safety. “The red will turn saffron soon (Kerala ki dharti jald kesariya hogi),” he said.

He said BJP and RSS workers have been killed by Communists while fighting for protection of the Hindu culture and religion. “Party cadres have fought for Hindu religion. the sacrifices will not go waste,” he said. Adityanath’s presence evoked interest as people lined up across the 9km stretch he covered. People were standing on both sides of the road to have a glimpse of the Gorakhnath Peeth head priest, who recently performed five-day puja at his temple during the Navratra festivities.